Parks & Trails New York’s interactive map of the Erie Canalway Trail— a cross-state route between Buffalo and Albany along the legendary Erie Canal—has been updated and optimized for mobile devices. The map can be found on the Parks & Trails New York website: www.ptny.org/bikecanal/map.

Since the original site launched in 2008, the award-winning Cycling the Erie Canalway Trail interactive map has helped thousands of visitors plan their journeys along the iconic Erie Canal. As more and more visitors are using web-enabled devices, PTNY created an optimized version of its popular map that functions on both desktop PCs as well as smartphones and tablet devices. The revised map features improved search functions, a new distance measuring tool, and GPS—all with a clean, modern look and feel.

With GPS-enabled capability, users can find exactly where they are relative to the Trail and easily locate nearby attractions and services, including museums, historic sites, parks, lodging, bike shops, restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, pharmacies, and hardware stores. Parking areas and handicapped accessible trailheads are also included.

Users can view the entire Erie Canalway Trail, from Buffalo to Albany, or zoom in for more detail. They can pan or scroll through the entire route, choose a specific region to explore, or find the location of a particular attraction, lodging establishment or bike. Many of the points of interest feature a web-link for more information.

“We’re excited to be able to provide this updated map for Erie Canalway Trail visitors,” said Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin. “The Erie Canalway Trail is an economic engine for upstate New York, and we are confident that the new interactive site will encourage additional visitors to come and see the beauty and experience the heritage of the Erie Canal.”

“Thanks to the new and improved interactive map now available on the Parks & Trails New York website it is now easier than ever for people to plan their visits to the Erie Canalway Trail,” said Canal Corporation director, Brian U. Stratton. “We are delighted to be able to direct visitors to this new planning resource.”

“What a great tool for helping people enjoy the Canalway Corridor,” said Beth Sciumeca, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “Whether you want to spend just a few hours or cycle the entire Erie Canalway Trail, this is the go-to map for planning a trip.”

More Erie Canalway Trail resources: guidebook and supported bike tour

Parks & Trails New York also offers a companion guidebook to the Erie Canalway Trail, Cycling the Erie Canal, with 42 color maps and interpretive information, as well as tips on cycling, travel and trip preparation—all in a handy 5” by 9” spiral-bound package that can easily be tucked into a saddle bag, backpack, or car glove compartment. The organization also organizes a supported bike tour along the Erie Canalway Trail every July that attracts more than 500 cyclists. More information on the guidebook and bike tour, plus other Erie Canalway Trail resources, can be found at www.ptny.org.

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers through the use and enjoyment of green space. Parks & Trails New York has worked with more than 275 community organizations and municipalities to develop and maintain a network of parks and trails throughout New York State. The organization’s “Close the Gaps” campaign is dedicated to completing the last 75 miles of the Erie Canalway Trail to achieve a 365-mile continuous, off-road trail between Buffalo and Albany.